Isaiah 42:18-25

18 surdi audite et caeci intuemini ad videndum

19 quis caecus nisi servus meus et surdus nisi ad quem nuntios meos misi quis caecus nisi qui venundatus est quis caecus nisi servus Domini

20 qui vides multa nonne custodies qui apertas habes aures nonne audies

21 et Dominus voluit ut sanctificaret eum et magnificaret legem et extolleret

22 ipse autem populus direptus et vastatus laqueus iuvenum omnes et in domibus carcerum absconditi sunt facti sunt in rapinam nec est qui eruat in direptionem et non est qui dicat redde

23 quis est in vobis qui audiat hoc adtendat et auscultet futura

24 quis dedit in direptionem Iacob et Israhel vastantibus nonne Dominus ipse cui peccavimus et noluerunt in viis eius ambulare et non audierunt legem eius

25 et effudit super eum indignationem furoris sui et forte bellum et conbusit eum in circuitu et non cognovit et succendit eum et non intellexit

Isaiah 42:18-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 42

This chapter begins with a prophecy concerning the Messiah, under the character of the servant of the Lord, and his elect, whom he supported, and was well pleased with; whose work is pointed at, and for which he was well qualified with the Spirit without measure, Isa 42:1 and is described by his humility and meekness, Isa 42:2, by his tenderness to weak and ignorant persons, Isa 42:3 and by his courage and resolution, Isa 42:4 then follow his call to his work, and the several parts of it, introduced with setting forth the greatness of God that called him, as the Creator of the heavens and of the earth, and of men upon it, Isa 42:5-7, whose name is Jehovah, and whose glory is incommunicable to a creature, and whose knowledge reaches to future things, which are predicted by him, Isa 42:8,9, and then Gentiles are called upon to praise the Lord, and give glory to him, partly for the above promises concerning the Messiah, Isa 42:10-12, and partly for the destruction of his enemies, Isa 42:13-15, and also for his gracious regard to such who had been blind and ignorant, Isa 42:16, the confusion of idolaters is prophesied of, and an exhortation is given them to make use of the means of light and knowledge, Isa 42:17,18, and the blindness, ignorance, and stupidity of the Jews, are exposed, though there was a remnant among them with whom the Lord was well pleased, for the sake of the righteousness of his Son, Isa 42:19-21, but as for the body of the people, they were to be given up to the spoilers and robbers for their sins and disobedience, and be the butt of the divine wrath and vengeance, Isa 42:22-24.